Alumna Cadence Chung just wrapped Love Letterz, a vibrant show she curated for Kia Mau Festival—including her own composed song cycle. She’s also back in opera chorus for Bohème, Un Ballo in Maschera and debuting a lead in L’Enfant et les sortilèges. This is exactly what creativity looks like post‑NZOS: self‑made, collaborative, and boldly exploring new narratives. We’re loving the journey, Cadence! 💙 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Alumni

Whanganui friends you’re in for a treat this evening as the Royal Whanganui Opera House hosts: ‘THE BIG SING LOWER NORTH ISLAND CADENZA’ Monday 11 August 7pm 🎶 It will be a wonderful uplifting evening with the top 12 secondary school choirs of the Lower North Island in concert! Tickets can be purchased online at https://RWOH.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/152232 NZ Choral Federation presents the Big Sing Cadenza 2025 Choral Showcase featuring: Ad Lucem - Napier Girls’ High School Aotea All-Comers Choir - Aotea College Bella and the Fellas - Freyberg High School Cantate - Wairarapa College Early Birds - Tawa College Jubilate - Queen Margaret College NIU Choir - Bishop Viard College PNGHS Pasifika Gospel Choir - Palmerston North Girls’ High School Rāwhiti - Wellington East Girls’ College Schola Cantorum - St Matthew’s Collegiate School Voxology - Napier Boys’ High School Woodford House Chapel Choir - Woodford House www.nzcf.org.nz Tickets: plus fees Waged $25 - Unwaged $20 - Student ID $10

🌹 Win a Limited Edition NZOS Rose! To celebrate Friends of the Opera School, we’re giving away one beautiful, limited edition NZOS rose (bred by Matthews Roses) to a supporter in Aotearoa. 📌 How to enter: 1️⃣ Follow our page 2️⃣ Like this post 3️⃣ Tag a friend in the comments who shares your love for opera (more comments, more chances to WIN) 4️⃣ Optional but appreciated: share this post on your stories to spread the word! Winner announced Sunday, August 17th! ! Open to NZ residents only. 💕🌹 #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #NZOSRose #giveaway

🎭✨ Toi Toi Toi to our friends at Wellington Opera! ✨🎭 This week only, Un Ballo in Maschera takes centre stage at the Opera House — 6, 8 & 10 August. A stunning production from Verdi, reshaped with mythic energy and raw emotion. Donald and Debbie will be there in the audience, representing NZOS — and we’re delighted to see alumni and familiar faces lending their talents on stage and behind the scenes. It’s a celebration of collaboration, community, and the power of opera to bring people together. 🎟️ Don’t miss out — final tickets on sale now: www.wellingtonopera.nz 📍 Opera House, Te Whanganui-a-Tara 📆 6, 8 & 10 August #ToiToiToi #WellingtonOpera #UnBalloInMaschera #OperaWhānau #SupportLocalOpera #NZOperaCommunity #NZOSAlumni

✨ What. A. Night. ✨ Opera & Champagne at the Hilton was next level last Friday— from the first note to the final cheer. A packed Bellini Bar, a birthday-vibe Jack Bourke, a glorious Morag Atchison, a commanding Edward Laurenson… and at the heart of it all, our incredible pianist Claire Caldwell, who brought every aria to life with elegance and flair. 🎹💫Bravo, team. What a treat! 🥂 #OperaAndChampagne #HiltonFridays #NZOperaSchool #ClaireCaldwell #LiveOpera #MagicMoments #NZOSWhānau #BelliniBar

🎶 Want to join NZOS Class of 2026? 🎵 Make sure to apply until July 31st for a chance to join the 2026 student cohort! 📝 Apply now: operaschool.org.nz/applications/application-form #nzoperaschool #nzos #operatraining #operalove #nzos2026 #nzoperaschool

🎶✨ TONIGHT! Opera + Champagne at the Hilton ✨🎶 Our Friday tradition gets the VIP treatment tonight — and you’re invited! This week’s Opera & Champagne features: 🎉 NZOS Trustee & Digital Director Jack Bourke (in full birthday month glow!) 🌟 Beloved soprano and mentor Morag Atchison 🎶 Star baritone Edward Laurenson 📍 Bellini Bar, Hilton Auckland 🕕 Tonight | 6–7PM | Free entry Come down, grab a glass, and enjoy an unforgettable hour of music with three legends. ✨ #OperaAndChampagne #EdwardLaurenson #NZOS #HiltonAuckland #NZOperaSchool

🎶🌟 Introducing international soprano and new NZOS tutor: Mary Plazas! 🌟🎶 We’re thrilled to welcome the incredible Mary Plazas (UK) to the 2026 NZ Opera School faculty — her first time teaching with us in Aotearoa! She joins us with a formidable international career, bringing a wealth of knowledge and stage experience to the NZOS whānau. 🗣️ In Mary’s own words: “I’m delighted to have been invited to teach on the New Zealand Opera Course in January 2026. It is my great pleasure to join esteemed colleagues and to work with such talented young New Zealand singers, on this important and special course. It will also be my first time visiting this beautiful country and I’m very much looking forward to it!” 📖 Formerly a company principal at English National Opera, where highlights include Cio-Cio San (Anthony Minghella’s acclaimed production of Madama Butterfly); other companies include ROH, Glyndebourne, Opera North, Bregenz Festspiele, Bayerische Staatsoper, Semperoper Dresden, and West Australian Opera. Roles include Mimì, Fiordiligi, Donna Elvira, Leïla, Lucrezia Borgia, Maria di Rohan, Rossini’s Elisabetta, Salud, Anne Truelove and The Duchess (Powder Her Face/DVD). Mary created two roles for Jonathan Dove, Tina (Flight) and Blue Fairy (Pinocchio); Karin in the world premiere of Barry’s Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant. She performed the title role in Peter Eötvös’ Lady Sarashina (Opéra de Lyon/Opéra Comique). Recordings include Opera Rara, Deutsche Grammophon, Chandos (Micaëla, Adina, Liù, Marguerite). Concerts/recitals include Wigmore Hall, Albert Hall, Concertgebouw with CBSO, Hallé, Philharmonia, BBC Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, and LSO with Hickox, Previn, Elder, Haitink, Oramo, Wigglesworth, and Parry. Mary studied at RNCM where she was awarded the Curtis Gold Medal and at NOS. Awards include the Kathleen Ferrier Memorial Scholarship and NFMS/ESSO Award. A Professor of Singing at RNCM, Mary is passionate about nurturing the next generation of young singers. She has given masterclasses in the UK, Mannheim, Brisbane, Perth, and adjudicated for major UK conservatoires and competitions. 🎓 Apply now to NZOS 2026 to work with Mary!

🎓🎶 Bravo to NZOS alumnus Aidan Thomas Phillips! 🎶🎓 From baritone beginnings to bold tenor heights, Aidan has just graduated with a Master of Music in Opera from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland — and what a journey it’s been! 👏 In just two years, Aidan has transformed as a singer and artist, stepping confidently into the next chapter as a Young Artist in the wild world of opera 🌍✨ We’re so proud to have been part of his story — and we can’t wait to see what’s next. Onwards and upwards, Aidan! #AidanThomasPhillips #NZOperaSchool #OperaWhānau #RCSGraduate #TenorJourney #FromNZToTheWorld #YoungArtist #AlumniSpotlight #OperaExcellence

🌍✨ BIG NEWS for NZOS 2026! ✨🌍 We’re thrilled to officially announce our International Tutors for the 2026 New Zealand Opera School: 🇺🇸🇳🇿 Nikki Li Hartliep 🇬🇧 Mary Plazas 🇦🇺 Glenn Winslade Three world-class artists. Three extraordinary mentors. One unforgettable opportunity. 🎭 Whether you're refining your artistry or ready for the next step in your operatic journey — this is your chance to work with some of the most respected professionals in the industry. 💥 Places are limited. Applications for NZOS 2026 are OPEN now. 📲 Apply today: https://operaschool.org.nz/applications/application-form #NZOS2026 #OperaTraining #NZOS #MasterYourVoice #OperaSchoolAotearoa

🌍🎶 Choir of the World – and we are beaming with pride! 🎶🌍 Huge congratulations to the NZ Youth Choir, who have just been named Choir of the World on their international tour! 🇳🇿🏆 Even more special? Several of the shining voices in this phenomenal ensemble are NZ Opera School alumni, including Emma Jones, Alanah Jones, Jack Doyle, Rosie McAllister, Rosie Auchinvole and Ivan Zhang — what a proud moment for our whānau! 💙 This is a massive achievement and a reminder of just how far Aotearoa’s young voices can reach when talent meets opportunity. Toi toi toi to the whole choir — we’re cheering you on from home! 🎶🌟 #NZYouthChoir #ChoiroftheWorld #OperaWhānau #NZOperaSchool #ProudMoment #EmmaJones #AlanahJones #JackDoyle #IvanZhang #FromNZToTheWorld

🎓✨ Erica E. Paterson – RCM graduate! ✨🎓 Another proud NZOS moment! Our wonderful alumna Erica Paterson has just crossed the stage at the prestigious Royal College of Music in London, completing her Master’s degree in Vocal Performance 🇳🇿🎶 Wearing her pounamu and pāua close to her heart, Erica carried Aotearoa with her into this milestone moment — a reflection of the talent, heart, and hard work that defines so many of our alumni. Ngā mihi nui and congratulations, Erica! We’re so proud. ❤️ #EricaPaterson #NZOperaSchool #RCM #OperaWhānau #FromNZToTheWorld #GraduationVibes #KiwiTalent #AlumniSpotlight #OperaExcellence